BCG (TB) vaccine (where advised)

Children's flu vaccine side effects

The flu vaccine for children is very safe, but like all vaccines, some children may experience side effects. The side effects linked with the flu nasal spray vaccine are almost always mild and short-lived.

Common side effects of the flu nasal spray vaccine

The nasal spray flu vaccine has very few side effects, the main one being that children may have a slight runny nose for a short time. Other possible side effects include:

temperature

headache

feeling slightly unwell

aching muscles

loss of appetite

Uncommon side effects can include a rash, swollen face or nose bleed

Rare side effects of the flu nasal spray vaccine

As with all vaccines, there’s a very small chance of a severe allergic reaction (known medically as anaphylaxis). The overall rate of anaphylaxis after vaccination is around one in 900,000 (so slightly more common than one in a million).

Anaphylaxis is very serious but it can be treated with adrenaline. When it happens, it does so within a few minutes of the vaccination. Staff who give vaccinations have all been trained to spot and deal with anaphylactic reactions and children recover completely with treatment.

What to do if your child has a side effect from the flu nasal spray vaccine

If your child has a runny nose after their flu vaccination, simply wipe their nose with a tissue and then discard it. Remember, catch it, bin it, kill it.

If your child develops a fever after their flu vaccination, keep them cool by:

making sure they don't have too many layers of clothes or blankets on

giving them cool drinks

You could also give them infant paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce their fever.